New Padre Anchieta Circular Footbridge to Open in Tenerife to Ease Traffic Congestion

Starting next Monday, the entrance to San Cristóbal de La Laguna will change significantly with the opening of the new Padre Anchieta circular footbridge. The Tenerife Island Council announced that the bridge will open following an official ceremony at 9:00 a.m., attended by island president Rosa Dávila, local officials, university representatives, and the project’s lead engineers.

This project aims to solve a long-standing traffic problem at one of the island’s busiest junctions. Currently, drivers at the Padre Anchieta roundabout must frequently stop to let pedestrians—mostly students and local residents—cross the road. This constant stopping disrupts traffic on the TF-5 highway, causing chronic congestion. By moving pedestrians onto this new elevated circular walkway, officials hope to stop the "stop-and-go" traffic that frequently backs up travel across the northern part of the island.

Beyond improving traffic flow, the bridge is designed to enhance the look of the city’s entrance. To help pedestrians get used to the new route, the council will manage a gradual transition over the coming days, safely guiding people from the road level up to the new platform.

This project is a major step in fixing a critical bottleneck where public transport, cars, and pedestrians have long struggled to coexist. By opening this overpass, authorities expect to reduce travel times on one of Tenerife’s most important roads and improve overall traffic management in the metropolitan area.